West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, Sukanta Majumdar, has called for central forces to take charge of the WB panchayat polls in order to ensure a free and fair election. Majumdar has accused the State Election Commission of not working properly and has alleged that central forces are not being allowed to take charge. According to Majumdar, there are several blocks where candidates are not able to file nominations, and if this continues, the elections will not be conducted properly. He criticized the State Election Commission for not taking any initiatives concerning court judgements.
The call for central forces to oversee the election process comes amid allegations of violence and intimidation by political parties during the nomination filing process. The Trinamool Congress has been accused of attacking members of other parties and preventing them from filing their nominations.
Majumdar’s demand for central forces to take charge has also sparked a political debate, with both the BJP and Trinamool Congress trading barbs over the issue. The BJP has accused the Trinamool Congress of trying to manipulate the election process, while the Trinamool Congress has accused the BJP of trying to disrupt the election.
The WB panchayat polls are set to take place in three phases from July 11. The elections are seen as an important test for the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, who are both hoping to make gains in the state ahead of the 2021 assembly elections.
The State Election Commission has yet to respond to Majumdar’s demand for central forces to take charge of the polls.
